LANSING - A Lansing judge did not sentence 15-year-old Charles Lewis, Jr., to life in prison Friday afternoon. Lewis was instead given a delayed sentence. Lewis will be sent to a juvenile detention facility until he is 21-years-old. At that time a judge will re-evaluate the sentence. The verdict caused tears on both sides of the courtroom.
Lewis was convicted by a jury of first degree murder for his part in the death of 19-year-old Shayla Johnson in July of 2010. Lewis was 13 years old at the time of the killing. Lewis's father and 4 other men are awaiting trial for Johnson's murder in federal court. Two of the men have already pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for their testimony.
Stay with wilx.com and Watch News 10 tonight at 5PM and 6PM for complete coverage of the sentencing, including video from inside the courtroom, the reaction from the mothers of Shayla Johnson and Charles Lewis Jr, and a one-on-one conversation with the judge who made the decision.
